faq
General Questions
General Questions
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Our experts approach weight loss from all physical and emotional aspects so you have a safety net for success. Our comprehensive program is a recipe for success:
- At CMH, we are not into gimmicks and short term small successes. Our supportive team of experts help you to be successful…for life!
- At CMH, we incorporate the latest research regarding weight loss, weight maintenance and fitness through our entirely professional staff under the medical direction of board certified physician, Dr. Thomas W. Clark
- At CMH, we investigate your individual metabolism and possible problems you may have that negatively influence your weight and eating behavior…we help you to unsderstand identified metabolic problems and provide you with comprehensive services so you can finally experience success
- At CMH, we include nutrition, activity/exercise and the lifestyle changes that support long term weight control
- At CMH, we prescribe an individualized plan that addresses your particular needs
- At CMH, our services are offered by an entire staff of licensed professionals who have dedicated their careers to weight loss and successful weight maintenance.
Don’t let life pass you by. Exerience the CMH difference!
We have easily integrated the healthy living behaviors taught at CMH into our lives and want to help you do the same!
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A complete metabolic weight loss program should cover all of the major components related to weight loss and weight management. This includes three primary aspects:
- A balanced nutritional plan
- Activity/exercise education and plan for your fitness level
- Education and support so you can identify, understand and change your unhealthy behaviors (behavior modification)
All of these components are extremely important to long term success. In addition, the program should provide services for each step of the weight loss process (weight loss phase, transition phase and maintenance phase) and incorporate current weight loss research and information. It is best to receive your guidance and education from experienced licensed professionals who specialize in weight loss, behavior and fitness.
At CMH, we are not only concerned with the amount of weight you lose, but also how to improve many of the known measurable parameters that indicate overall health. These metabolic parameters not only include your weight and body composition analysis, but also your cholesterol, hormone levels (thyroid, insulin etc…), vitamin/mineral levels, and others as needed. All of these measurable parameters are inter-related (and often directly assiciated with weight and body composition) and together give an overall picture of your metabolic health.
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Quality protein intake is extremely important during a weight loss program to protect against loss of lean body mass. During calorie restriction, our bodies will preferentially burn lean body mass trying to protect its fatty stores for a “future famine”. The problem here is that our metabolism is based directly on how much lean body mass we have. If lean body mass is lost during weight loss, then our basal metabolism slows. This makes it harder to keep losing weight as well as keeping the weight off. The only way to protect lean body mass is getting in appropriate protein spread througout the day and exercising our muscles.
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We prescribe appetite suppressants for patients as deemed medically appropriate. Appetite suppressants are often a helpful addition to your treatment plan once your particular medical situation is evaluated.
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B-vitamins are often referred to as your “energy” vitamins. B-12 is the best known, but all the B-vitamins are important. B-Complex includes a combination of all of the B-vitamins so it may be even more effective. Many people find that B-12 or B-Complex improves their overall energy level and improves their weight loss efforts.
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Vitamins are very important. They are used by the body as co-factors in various metabolic reactions. This can greatly influence many medical problems and how we feel. The typical American diet does NOT provide adequate amounts of useful vitamins and minerals and supplementation is almost always recommended.
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All of the vitamin supplements and food based supplements which are provide by CMH are manufactured specifically for the best possible absorption and for weight loss. We only use pharmaceutical grade vitamins and mineral supplements which guarantees the quality content of the products.
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There is no practical way to lose weight without watching calories. Although the statement of “calories in Vs calories out” is over-simplified, overall, it still remains true. Even with low carbohydrate diets, if your calorie intake is above a certain level (this will be different for each individual – based upon your basal metabolism) you will NOT lose weight (i.e. caloric intake will always trump any particular type of diet).
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Your individualized weight loss plan will incorporate visits with Dr. Clark, our nurse practitioner, our wellcoach and our certified personal trainers.
You will meet with one of the professionals weekly until your dietary intake is understood and under control. At this point, we integrate physical activity…meeting you at your individual fitness level.
Our exciting behavior modification classes and ongoing education is incorporated from the beginning of your program. It is critical that you explore your behaviors and where they come from…and ultimately how to make the healthy choices you know you must make…but never knew how.
Our metabolic weght loss programs are varied in length and complexity of services. We explore your particular needs and goals with you to determine the program that is best for you.
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The answer to this question depends upon a number of factors such as your medical history, how much overweight you are, your activity level, and your willingness to make a commitment to the program. We can provide you with the education, support, and revolutionary concepts that result in weight loss but you must be willing to make the necessary changes in your life for success. Believe in yourself…you can do it and the experts at CMH want to help you live your dreams!
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Most insurance companies do not cover medical or metabolic weight loss services. As a result, we do not accept insurance for our medical weight loss program. With the current obesity epidemic, we can hope that this will change but at this point, it is not generally a covered service.
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Journaling keeps you conscious of the choices you make throughout the day. It is critical to success, particularly during the initial weight loss phase and whenever you are struggling.
A journal provides you and our clinicians with a plethora of important information such as overall intake of calories, protein and carbohydrates, water intake, vitamin intake, times of increased hunger and temptation, overall progress, level of activity/steps taken each day, and spacing of meals and protein intake. These points are critical for counseling as your ideal plan is understood and implemented. You do not have to journal forever but during the key times described above, it can make the difference between marginal success and overwhelming success.
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A pedometer provides you and our clinicians with a baseline measurement of your activity (total number of steps). It is also helpful as a tool for gradually increasing your activity until you are able to hopefully attain 10,000 steps each day. We provide you with your pedometer and encourage you to wear it every day.
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The key phases include:
- Induction Phase This is the initial phase of any weight loss plan. It describes the first couple of weeks when your body is adjusting to a new way of eating. This phase can be challenging and some individuals will experience fatigue, cravings and irritability. This phase is very important and support is key to your success as you experience these negative responses.
- Weight Loss Phase This is the phase of steadily losing weight until you reach your goal.
- Transition Phase This is the phase where you move from an aggressive diet to a consistent healthy eating lifestyle. During this phase, you apply all of the principles you should have learned during your induction and weight loss phase.
- Maintenance Phase This is the period of time after transition when you need to monitor your weight, activity and behavior. This phase can be challenging as you may be reminded of old habits. It is important to monitor yourself during this phase at regular intervals and seek assistance as necessary rather than becoming depressed and regaining weight during difficult periods of time.
At CMH, we include all phases of weight management in our Virginia metabolic weight loss program